Category: Temptation

Scripture LessonRight after Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, he retreated to the wilderness for forty days to fast. Fasting is when people go a period of time without food or water in an effort to become closer to God and understand His will. As hard as Christ is trying to follow God, Satan is working just as hard to tempt Christ to follow him instead.

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. (Luke 4: 1-2)

QuestionsWhy do you suppose Satan tempts Christ at the same time He is fasting?When does Satan tempt us?

Though Christ was tempted each day, the apostles only record three temptations. Here is the first one.

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Luke 4:3-4)

QuestionsWhy would Satan tempt Christ to turn rocks into food?When are you the weakest; if Satan wanted to tempt you, when would he do it?How did Christ reject Satan’s temptation? Why did he say “It is written”?

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Luke 4:5-8)

QuestionsWhy does Satan tempt others with power and riches?Again, Christ said “It is written”; why does he keep using scriptures to tell Satan he will not fall into temptation? Why are scriptures so important?The scripture that Christ mentions was one of the Ten Commandments that Moses received. Who, then, writes the scriptures? (This is kind of a trick question)

Listen to the third temptation and notice how Satan tries to tempt Christ this time.

And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Luke 4:9-12)

QuestionsThis time Satan tried twisting the scriptures to tempt Christ; why would Satan do that?How does Satan take good things and try to trick people with them? Can you think of an example?

Application

Christ said:

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me: (John 5:39)

And Paul, one of Christ’s apostles, said:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

QuestionsIf the scriptures show us how to live the way God would like us to live, how often should we read scriptures? Next time you don’t want to read scriptures, what are some things you could do?Next time you are tempted by someone or something, what are some things you could do?